At Sparrow we believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to do their bit for our planet’s well-being. The welcome push for more eco-friendly habits is changing how we live - from everyday choices, to life’s biggest milestones.
Your contribution doesn’t have to be huge, or perfect. We can all make a positive difference, so say ‘I Do’ to sustainability and see if you can incorporate some of these ideas into your big day.
Bride’s Gown
It can be a little bit controversial for some, but do please consider a second-hand wedding gown. StillWhite is a central place for brides to sell their gowns on, and with payment being via PayPal, if your gown arrives in a condition other than what was described you’re able to be refunded for up to $20,000 US dollars. Of course, you might be lucky enough to find your dream gown for sale here in Adelaide and be able to try before you buy. The savings on this site are big, and it’s also a great resource if you’ve fallen in love with a particular design that isn’t sold in stores anymore.
Shoes, jewellery, and even veils and dresses call all be found in op-shops also. If you’re in the market for vintage jewellery your local thrift store could see you hitting the jackpot!
Hair & Makeup
This one’s easy to achieve! Lots of talented makeup artists in Adelaide offer the use of eco-friendly products for your wedding day. Have a look at Luminous by Danielle or Gemma Vendetta for a good start.
Rings
If you have some old family jewellery that’s been passed down to you, this is the perfect time to make use of it, get it cleaned up at the jeweller, and wear it every day as your wedding ring. It’s lovely to feel that family connection each time you look at it. Some people get lucky and love the original design, but if you don’t, you can have the pieces melted down and re-designed into something you do love.
Stationery
Look, you’re probably not going to get away with using zero paper products, but there are plenty of ways to keep your consumption low.
Digital invitations have had a bad rap in the past because they can be impersonal, and not so pretty. I myself resisted them for the longest time because I strongly believe that the invitation sets the scene for your guests about what kind of event to expect, and what it might look like. First impressions count!
Enter, Minted. Minted has stunning wedding website designs with RSVP functionality, and they’re absolutely free. Plus, each of their wedding websites feature matching designs for invitations and day-of decor, for seamless end-to-end style. You can send just a few traditional invitations to those guests who don’t have an email address, giving all guests the same pre-wedding day experience, cutting down on your paper use, and saving some money in your budget also. It’s a win all round.
If you’d still like to send paper invitations to all on your list (and who can blame you, they’re gorgeous!) our friends at Love Cherish Adore turned me on to plantable invitations, where a recycled plantable paper that is embedded with wild flower seeds is used. Not only is the paper beautiful, but it also means that your guests can plant their wedding invite and have something to remember your big day by. What could be more lovely than looking out of the window and remembering your wonderful day?
While I haven’t been able to find a local supplier of these yet (hit me up if you’re in the know!) Sharon at Magnolia Press is working on it! Sharon also makes stunning invitations using handmade papers from recycled cotton off-cuts, that can be added to the recycling or compost after the event.
Catering
Finding a fully eco-friendly caterer can be tough. They’re generally already doing a huge job running a commercial-style kitchen to provide amazing food for a room full of people, and their time is precious. As a compromise I have found that some are willing to split their rubbish for me, and as long as I provide an extra bin, they will put food waste into that bin to be disposed of with the green waste, rather than going in with the hard refuse.
A caterer with a leaning toward locally sourced, seasonal produce is also a help on your quest for minimal waste.
Honeymoon
Stay local! There are so many beautiful five-star spots in South Australia that can serve as your honeymoon destination. With the bushfires that tore through last summer, a lot of regional areas could really use your tourism dollars, and you’d also be reaping the environmental benefits of cutting down on your carbon footprint.
My last piece of advice is to remember that each wedding is unique, and there are many different factors that make up that special individuality for each one. Focus on those eco-friendly elements that work for you, and don't compare your wedding day to another. This isn’t a competition to see who can be the best at recycling, it’s just an opportunity for each of us to do our bit.
We’ve got more ideas and resources for a low-waste wedding happening over on our Pinterest account, and I’d love you to jump in and take a look! We’ll be adding to it over the coming months so don’t forget to hit the ‘follow’ button to stay up-to-date. See you there, Emma xo